Can i raise chickens in the city

Getting a senior staff member on your side can be extremely helpful. What are the top complaints or worries raised about legalizing chickens? You need to be prepared to respond to those concerns. You might wish to offer your city council some specific laws as examples, such as the chicken-friendly laws in Seattle or Madison, Wisc.

Most cities that allow backyard chickens specify how many are OK — usually between three and eight. Laws often prohibit roosters, and they sometimes prohibit slaughter. It is very important to emphasize up front to your city council that hens still lay eggs without a rooster.

Typically, laws also require that chickens be kept in a well-maintained coop, i. Some laws require that the coop be a certain number of feet from neighboring homes, or that it not be visible from the street. Additionally, some cities require that chicken owners register and pay a small fee to the city.

Make sure to communicate clearly why chickens belong in the city. Be prepared for people to raise concerns about allowing chickens into your city. Some of the most common concerns are: noise, smell, predators eating the chickens, and chickens turning up in local animal shelters.

The first three issues are the easiest to answer:. Hens cluck and peep softly all day long, and then go to bed at dusk and remain quiet all night. This is where crafting a good chicken law comes into play. Predators: The sad fact is that chickens are food — not just for humans, but for foxes, coyotes, opossums, raccoons, hawks, and sometimes neighboring dogs. It should be the responsibility of the chicken owner to keep his or her chickens safe from predators — just like it is for cat owners, say — , and there is ample advice available on how to do so.

Even though a careless owner may lose chickens to predators, I fail to see how this is a municipal problem, as it is not something that causes a nuisance to anyone except for the chicken owner. Chickens overwhelming animal shelters: This is a real problem that should be dealt with carefully.

On a farm, the optimal ratio of roosters to hens is about one rooster for every eight to 10 hens, and — since about half of the baby chicks born will be roosters — any excess roosters can be eaten. In a city, where people are less likely to slaughter their pets for dinner, unwanted roosters do end up at shelters. Would a nearby farm accept unwanted chickens? Unlike unwanted dogs and cats, who need loving homes, unwanted chickens can be eaten.

My new chicken coop, aka Cluckingham Palace. Feed the chickens a healthy diet. Make sure to deal with city-related issues, such as noise and rodents. Then, set up a chicken coop with 4 feet of space per chicken, and a fenced-in area where they can roam freely. Make sure to keep no more than 5 chickens since they can get noisy and smelly. Additionally, set up a solid fence around the coop to block some of the noise, while keeping out predators.

You should also talk to your neighbors ahead of time in case they have questions or concerns. For more advice from our Veterinary co-author, including how to feed and care for your chickens, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue.

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Download Article Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Buy a chicken coop. Unless you have extensive experience with building structures, you should buy a chicken coop.

A coop is a vital structure for your chicken's health, so purchase a coop built by professionals. A coop can be built over dirt or grass in your backyard. Chickens need 3—4 feet 0. If you're short on space, you should only keep 1 or 2 chickens. Create a run. Chickens need adequate space to run outside of the coop. Make sure you provide a fenced in area for your chickens to get plenty of sunshine and exercise. If you only have a small backyard, stick to only 1 or 2 chickens. You need at least 4 square feet 0.

Make sure the fence you put up is free of any cracks or gaps where a chicken could slip through. There are a lot of hazards in the city, such as cars, your chicken needs protection from. Provide a roost. A roost is an area 2 feet 0. You should use a wide bar or a plank of wood as your roost. A roost is important to chickens, as it allows them to sit slightly off the ground. This can help protect them when the ground gets wet. Add a nesting box for each hen. Chickens need a nest to lay their eggs.

You should have several boxes around the coop about the size of a shoebox. The chicken should be able to fit inside the box comfortably. You should avoid pairing hens and roosters together in the city. Due to limited space, you do not want your hens laying fertilized eggs.

It's best only to use eggs for food. Make a space for food and water. You need to area for chickens to eat and drink in their coop. You can purchase a chicken feeder online or at a local hardware store.

The feeder can stand on its own or be hung in the coop. But you should have an answer ready if they ask you. People get nervous about things like bird flu. As long as you can assure them that you either have expert friend, mentor or bird vet at the ready if you ever get stumped on something, they should be okay with it.

You need to check with your own city to see what the ordinances are in regards to backyard chickens. Call or visit your city hall and just ask. It is that simple Find out if they are allowed and how many you can have. Be sure to ask if there are any other rules about the distance from houses. That will determine where you can place your coop. Many people take that risk. Just know that you can be fined or at the very least, you will be asked to remove the birds.

You usually get a few warnings first. If they are allowed, make sure you know the rules you must follow. That way you can assure your neighbors that you are within the city guidelines and prevent a lot of problems. Most cities do not allow roosters. Some even crow before the sun comes up.